Less Number of Students Taking JEE (Main) in 2015

The number of aspirants in the field of engineering and registering for the Joint Entrance Examination(JEE Main) has come down by quite a margin since the last two years. In fact, this year there have been close to one lakh aspirants opting out, with a sharp comparison to 50,000 that was recorded in the year gone by.

This national-level joint entrance examination is conducted by CBSE and in 2015, it received applications from 13.04 lakh students; while, in 2015, the number of applicants decreased to 12.07 lakh. Maharashtra too witnessed a steep decline (1.63 lakh), in close pursuit by Uttar Pradesh (1.50 lakh).

Being a qualifying exam, the JEE (Main) is conducted for providing admissions to centrally-funded technical institutions exemplified by IIITs, NITs, and institutions in the participating states. Of the total numbers of students taking JEE (Main), the top 1.5 lakh are eligible to appear for JEE (Advanced) for admissions to the premier IITs. Two lakh candidates will be shortlisted by the IIT Council this year.

Courses like maritime, design, law, hotel management and law are pacing up. "Students who are keen on research in science are completing their undergraduate program in science, and are going abroad for higher studies to reputed foreign universities." IIT-Bombay director Devang Khakhar agreed that students can pursue various interests.

"There are several options available in humanities too," added Khakhar. "Many students who are serious about pursuing engineering and are motivated will definitely appear for the entrance test. But a few, who realize that engineering is not their cup of tea, will prefer to stay out," he said.